HIA backs skilled migration reforms to boost Australia’s housing supply

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has endorsed proposed changes to Australia’s skilled migration policies, emphasizing that workforce capacity is essential to boosting the country’s housing supply. HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin highlighted the need for access to skilled workers to ramp up construction activity. She described a migration system prioritizing skilled labor as a pragmatic approach to addressing workforce shortages, which are critical to solving Australia’s housing crisis.

The HIA welcomed several proposed measures, including aligning skilled migration settings with workforce demand, reviewing skilled occupation priorities, and establishing project-based visa pathways. A dedicated construction visa strike team was also proposed to tackle labor shortages directly. Martin noted that while local apprentices are vital, a flexible migration system is necessary when domestic labor falls short.

Regional migration pathways were identified as crucial, particularly in areas where attracting and retaining skilled workers is challenging. The HIA stressed that skilled migration must be paired with ongoing investment in apprenticeships and training, as well as coordinated efforts across federal, state, and local governments to manage population growth and housing delivery.

Despite supporting the migration reforms, the HIA cautioned that policy alone will not resolve Australia’s housing challenges. Martin called for a long-term solution that balances population growth with housing supply, infrastructure, land release, workforce capacity, and planning systems. She criticized unstable migration settings over the past six years, which have complicated planning and investment in the housing sector.